Painting fastener

ABSTRACT

A fastener in which a substantially flexible member is affixed to a substantially rigid member so as to protrude therefrom for securing releasably an inner member within an outer frame.

United States Patent 11 1 Dole [ 1 Nov. 6, 1973 PAINTING FASTENER [76]Inventor: John S. Dole, 124 Ritch Ave.,

.By ram C.9nn-b.1 5,7b3 ,7

22 Filed: July 15,1971

21 Appl. No.: 162,764

[51] Int. Cl. G09f H12 [58] Field of Search..-. 40/152, 152.1,154, 40/156 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES-PATENTS 1,894,803 1 1933wahlstrom 40/156 2,820,311 1/1958 Hanlin 40/156 3,255,544 6/1966Bornholt 40/156 1,340,711 5 1920 Greenwald 40 152 2,450,330 9/1948 DeGiers 40/156 X 2,489,477 11/1949 Brecher 40/156 3,596,392 8/1971 Vani40/156 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 7,978 6/1886 Great Britain 40/156585,111 1/1947 Great Britain 40/152 Primary Examiner-Robert W. MichellAssistant Examiner-Wenceslao J. Contreras Att0meyPhilip Sands [57]ABSTRACT A fastener in which a substantially flexible member is affixedto a substantially rigid member so as to protrude therefrom for securingreleasably an inner member within an outer frame.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDNDV 6 I975 INVENTOR Joly/Y =57 D045A /Z2 f,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to afastener adapted to secure releasably an inner member such as astretcher having a canvas affixed thereto, within an outer frame such asa picture frame.

It is customary to display a picture by mounting it within a suitableframe which is hung from a wall. A typical picture may be executed inoil paint on a canvas fastened to a stretcher. The stretcher is usuallya suitable wooden frame which is adjustable. The sides of the stretcherare secured to one another at the corners thereof by conventionaldovetail joints so as to permit varying of the size of the stretcher.Initially the canvas is attached to the stretcher by suitable means,e.g., by gluing, tacking or stapling the canvas thereto. Thereafter,wedges may be inserted into the dovetail joints of the stretcher tothereby enlarge the frame so as to tighten the canvas mounted'thereonfor smoothing and removing any wrinkles or sags therein.

Heretofore, the stretcher has been mounted within the picture frame bymeans of suitable nails which are driven into the frame with a portionthereof protruding therefrom. The protruding portion of the nail is bentinto engagement with the stretcher so as to secure it within the frame.Alternately, the nails may be driven completely through the stretcherand into the frame or vice versa. Other conventional means for securingthe stretcher within the picture frame are right angle screw hooks,thumb screws, or spring clips. Furthermore, in order to insure that thejoint between the frame and stretcher is sufficiently tight, it isfrequently necessary to interpose thin wooden strips between the sidesof the stretcher and the sides of the frame. However, unless the frameand stretcher are nailed together, the stretcher may stillseparatetherefrom when subjected to the usual shocks and vibrations foundgenerally in the shipment thereof.

It'is quite common to remove the painting from the frame so as toretighten the canvas by adjusting the stretcher, or to change paintings,or frames. However, when the stretcher is nailedwithin thepicture'frame, it is difficult to remove the stretcher therefrom withoutits being damaged, and/or damaging the picture frame or even thepainting itself. Moreover, the stretcher may not be properly alignedrelative to the picture frame, inasmuch as all the nails cannot bedriven evenly or simultaneously therein. In addition, the stretcherand/or picture frame, as well as the painting may be injured by the meredriving of nails into the frame.

In order to overcome many of the disadvantages associated withconventional methods utilizedpreviously for securing a stretcher havinga canvas mounted thereon within a picture frame, there is, in accordancewith the present invention, provided a fastenerhaving a flexible memberwhich secures releasably the stretcher within the picture frame.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea fastener which is relatively easily installed so as to securereleasably an inner member within an outer frame.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fastener whichsecures an inner member within an outer frame with little likelihood" ofcausing injury thereto.

An additional object-of the present invention is to provide a fastenerwhich secures tightly an inner member within an outer frame so as toprevent separation therebetween under the typical shocks and vibrations'encountered in the shipment thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fastener whichis relatively economical in the installation, use and manufacturethereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, and in accordance with thepresent invention, there is provided a fastener member for securingreleasably an inner member, such as in the nature of a canvas-stretcher, within an outer frame. Preferably, the fastener memberincludes a substantially flexible member affixed to a substantiallyrigid member so as to extend therefrom. The rigid member is mounted suchthat the flexible member is-adapted to clamp the inner member within theouter frame. Moreover, the flexible member thereof is bendable readilyso as to be adjustable for variations between the respective levels ofthe mounting surfaces of the corresponding outer frame and innermembers, and for enabling the inner member to be removed readily fromthe outer frame.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, thefastener member includes a resilient member secured to the flexiblemember. In this way, the resilient member in conjunction with theflexible member maintains the inner member within the outer frame withlittle likelihood of injury thereto. The fastener member is therebyadapted to secure the inner member tightly within the outer frame underthe various shocks and vibrations associated with the shipment thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS -O.ther objects and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent upon reading the followingdetailed description and upon reference tothe drawings, in which: FIG. 1is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention,in-situ, securing an inner member within an outer frame; r

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational sectional view taken along the Line2-2of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

ferred embodiment of the fastener member of the present invention;

. FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational sectional view taken along theLine 4-4 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front elevational sectional view taken along theline 5-5 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of another embodiment of thefastenermember of the present invention.

While the present invention will be described in connection with apreferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended tolimit the invention to that embodiment. 0n the contrary, it is intendedto cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the pre- DETAILED DESCRIPTIONOF THE INVENTION With continued reference to the drawings, wherein likereference numerals have been used throughout to designate like elements,a fastener member is disclosed which includes a rigid member havingsecured thereto a flexible member. The rigid member is preferablyattached to an outer frame such that the flexible member extendstherefrom over an inner member which is clamped thereby within the outerframe.

Turning first to FIG. 3, there is shown, as hereinbefore related, aperspective view of a fastener member, designated generally by thereference numeral 10. Fastener member 10 includes a rigid member,indicated generally at 12, a cantilevered flexible member 14, and

a resilient member or pad 16. Rigid member 12, as

shown more clearly in FIG. 4, is an L-shaped bracket having a pair oflegs 18 and 20, respectively. Referring once again to FIG. 3, flexiblemember 14 is preferably a rectangularly shaped tongue and includes aplurality of holes 22 therein (e.g., flve holes) for permitting suitablemounting means, such as conventional wood screws, to pass therethrough.Similarly, rigid member 12 includes a plurality of holes 24 therein (inthis case, three holes in leg 18 and two holes in leg 20) for permittingsuitable mounting means such as wood screws to pass therethrough. Theflexible member 14, is attached, at one end thereof, to leg 18 of rigidmember 12, by suitable means such that hole 22a in the former is inregistry with hole 24a in the latter (FIG. 4). For example, flexiblemember 14 is preferably welded, as indicated by reference numeral 25, toleg 18 of rigid member 12 in two spots. The spot welds 25 are positionedso as to enable flexible member 14 to be bent substantially parallel toleg 20 of rigid member 12. However, flexible member 14 may be affixed torigid member 12 by other suitable means such as by riveting or bolting.Resilient'member 16 is adheredv to the undersurface of flexible member14 by means of a suit-' able cement and extends in an outwardlydirection therealong from the region of rigid member 12 to the free endthereof. Preferably,'resilient member 16 is made of an elastomer such asfoam rubber. In this way, resilient member 16 may be placed inengagement with either the inner member or outer frame withsubstantially little chance 'of producing injury thereto. Moreover, suchan arrangement will absorb the shocks and vibrations of shipment so asto prevent separation of the inner member from the outer member; Whilethe .resilient member 16 has been described as extending over the entireundersurface of flexible member 14, one skilled in the art willappreciate that the invention is not necessarily so limited andthatresilient member 16 may extend over only a portion of theundersurface of flexible member 14, i.e., resilient member 16 is adaptedto be interposed between flexible member 14 and the correspondingmounting surface.

As shown clearly in FIG. 5, Leg 20 of rigid member 12 includes a pairofleg portions 20a and 20b respectively, symmetrically positioned about acut-out portion 26 which is approximately centrally disposed therein.The cut-out portion 26 is in substantial registry with flexible member14. Flexible member 14 is preferably of a width equal to the width ofcut-out portion 26. The removal of material from rigid member 12 in theregion of flexible member 14 facilitates bending thereof. Hence, cut-outportion 26 enables flexible member 14 and resilient member 16 securedthereto to be bent sufficiently to secure an outer member to an innermember which is positioned above or beneath the level thereof, i.e., theflexible member 14 and resilient member 16 attached thereto may even bebent'so that a portion thereof extends through cut-out portion 26. Thus,it is evident that the mounting surface of the inner member need not beon the same level as the mounting surface of the outer member, sinceflexible member 14 may be bent sufficiently to account for thedifference in levels.

By way of example, flexible member 14 is made preferably of stainlesssteel about 0.020 inches thick, extending about 2% inches in thelengthwise direction and about 1 inch in the widthwise direction.Resilient member 16 is preferably a strip of foam rubber preferablyabout 1/ 16th of an inch thick extending about 1 inch in the widthwisedirection and about 1% inches in the lengthwise direction. The strip offoam rubber is secured to flexible member 14 by a conventional adhesiveand extends lengthwise from one end portion thereof for a distance ofabout 1% inches (1 inch before the other end portion thereof), i.e., thefoam rubber is adhered to the undersurface of flexible member 14 andextends from one end portion thereof to about the region of leg 20 ofrigid member 12. As heretofore described, rigid member 12 is an L-shapedbracket made preferably of stainless steel. Leg 18 thereof isapproximately l/l6th of an inch thick, and extends about 3 inches in thelengthwise direction, i.e., normal to the lengthwise direction offlexible member 14, and about 5/8ths of an inch in the widthwisedirection. Leg 20 of rigid member 12 is also approximately l/16th of aninch thick and includes a substantially centrally disposed cut-outportion 26. Leg portions 20a and 20b thereof are symmetrically locatedabout cut-out portion 26, each leg portion extending about 1 inch in thelengthwise direction and about %ths of an inch in the widthwisedirection, cut-out portion 26 also extending about 1 inch in thelengthwise direction. Thus, flexible member l4.with resilient member 16secured thereto is adapted to be readily bendable so as to secure aninner member to an outer member even when the mounting surfaces thereofare on different-levels.

In use, a plurality of fastener members, i.e., at least a pair offastener members "disposed on opposed sides of the outerframe,secure theinner member within the outer frame. Referring now to FIG. 1, an outerframe 28 or picture frame, is illustrated therein as having an innermember, shown generally at 30, mounted therein.

The inner member 30 includes a stretcher 32 having a canvas 34.mountedthereon. The stretcher 32 and canvas 34 are held within picture frame 28by means of at least a pair of fastener members 10 (four fastenermembers 10 are shown in FIG. 1). Perferably, a pair of conventional woodscrews 36 affix rigid member 12 to picture frame 28. Other suitablemeans such as cement or the like may be used to attach rigid member 12to picture frame 28. As shown in FIG. 2, flexible member 14 is bent toaccount for the difference in the levels of the mounting surfaces offrame 28 and stretcher 32 Thus, resilient member v 16 presses againststretcher 32 to thereby clamp stretcher 32 within picture frame 28.Flexible member 14 is preferably also affixed to stretcher 32 by meansof suitable wood screws. For example, a plurality of wood screws areshown in FIG. 1

attaching flexible member 14 to stretcher 32. It will be apparent toone'skilled in the art that other suitable means, such as cement, may beused to attach flexible member 14 to stretcher 32.

While the invention has been described in connection with the rigidmember 12 being mounted on outer frame 28, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the art that the invention is not necessarily so limited andthat the rigid member 12 may as well be mounted on inner member 32 withflexible member 14 mounted on outer member 28.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. Turningnow to FIG. 6, a rigid member, shown generally at 38, and a flexiblemember 40 are made from one piece of material, i.e, by means ofasuitable stamping or die cutting operation forming a T-shaped member,with Legs 18 and 20 being the cross-bar thereof. Thereafter leg portions20a and 20b are bent so as to form rigid member 38 into an L- shapedbracket. whereupon, resilient member 16 may be adhered to theundersurface of flexible member 40.

Hence, it is evident that the present invention is adapted to achievethe various aims and objectives hereinbefore set forth. Namely, theflexible member of the fastener member is readily bendable so as tosecure an outer frame on one level to an inner frame on another level,i.e., the mounting surfaces are higher or lower than one another.Moreover, according to the present invention, there is little risk ofdamage to the outer frame or inner member merely by attaching thefastener members thereto by means of suitable wood screws. In addition,inasmuch as, the rigid member is formed from an L-shaped bracket whichfits over the edge of either the outer frame or inner member, theflexible portion is substantially normal thereto. Thus, the inner memberis aligned substantially automatically within the outer member.Furthermore, the fastener member may be readily detached from the innermember merely by the removal of the wood screws used to secure theflexible member thereto. In this manner, the flexible member may be bentso as to be approximately parallel to the edge of'the outer frame forpermitting the inner member to be easily removed therefrom. Theresilient member secured to the flexible member insures that" the outerframe and inner member are not damaged when. the fastener member clampsthem together. Moreover, the resilient member clamps the inner membertightly within the outer frame and prevents any injury thereto due tothe shock and vibration associated with the shipment thereof. Inaddition, the fastener members are relatively inexpensive in theinstallation, use and manufacture thereof.

Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance withthe present invention, a fastener member that fully satisfies theobjects, aims and advantages set forth hereinbefore. While the inventionhas been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, itis evident that many alternatives, modifica-' tions, and variations willbe apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoingdescription. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spiritand broad scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to protect byLetters Patent is:

l. A fastener for detachably securing a canvasstretcher to a frame; saidcanvas-stretcher having a rear external peripheral edge conformingsubstantially both in size and configuration to a surrounding rearinternal peripheral edge of said frame; said fastener comprising bracketmeans for embracing a portion of said internal peripheral edge of saidframe, and a cantilevered flexible tongue fixedly secured to saidbracket means and adapted to extend across and overlie said externalperipheral edge of said canvas-stretcher; said bracket means having botha sufficiently greater lateral rigidity and lateral extent than saidtongue to stabilize itself, and thereby said tongue, against bendingrelative to said frame in a plane parallel to one encompassing saidexternal peripheral edge of said canvas-stretcher; said tongue beingsufficiently flexible such that it is bendable, normally of said plane,from a first position overlying said canvas-stretcher to a secondposition extending generally parallel to, and between, said internal andexternal peripheral edges of said frame and canvasstretcher,respectively; said tongue when bent into said second position permittingremoval of said canvasstretcher from said frame; said bracket meansbeing generally L-shaped in cross-section and presenting a pair ofmutually perpendicular limbs; one of said limbs being adapted to overliea portion of said frame adja cent to said internal peripheral edge ofthe latter; the other of said limbs being adapted to be interpositionedbetween said internal and external peripheral edges of said frame andcanvas-stretcher, respectively; said other of said limbs having amedially disposed cut-out which terminates .at said tongue and dividesthe latter said limb into a pair of legs spaced from one another over adistance corresponding to the lateral extent of said tongue which ismost proximate thereto.

2. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said limbs of saidbracket means is provided with a plurality of apertures to permitstabilized anchoring thereof to said frame.

3. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tongue and bracketmeans are integr'alwith one another and derived as a unit from a thincommon metal sheet; said'limbs being bendable relative to one anothernormally of the lateral extent thereof to permit tight-fit embracing ofsaid frame by said bracket means.

4. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 including a resilient pad secured toan undersurface of said tongue and engageable with saidconvas-stretche'r.

5. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tongue is providedwithat least one aperture to permit anchoring thereof to saidcanvas-stretcher.

6. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein-said tongue and bracketmeans are metallic and welded to one another; said bracket means havinga greater thickness and rigidity than said tongue.

, 7. In combination, a canvas-stretcher, and a frame into which saidcanyas-stretcher'is insertable, said canvas-stretcher having a rearexternal peripheral edge conformingsubstantially both in size andconfiguration to a surrounding rear internal peripheral edge of saidframe; the improvement comprising a fastener for detachably securingsaid canvas-stretcher to said frame; said fastener including bracketmeans for embracing a portion of said internal peripheral edge of saidframe, and a cantilevered flexible tongue fixedly secured to saidbracket means and adapted to extend across and overlie said externalperipheral edge of said canvasstretcher; said bracket means having botha sufficiently greater lateral rigidity and lateral extent than saidtongue to stabilize itself, and thereby said tongue,

. other and derived as a unit from a common metal sheet;

said bracket means being generally L-shaped in crosssection and definedby a pair of mutually perpendicular limbs; one of said limbs beingadapted to overlie and be affixed to said frame; the other of said limbsbeing interpositionable between said internal and external peripheraledges of said frame and canvas-stretcher, respectively; said other ofsaid limbs being provided with a medially disposed cut-out whichterminates at said tongue and divides the latter said limb into a pairof legs spaced from one another over a distance corresponding to thelateral extent of said tongue which is most proximate thereto.

1. A fastener for detachably securing a canvas-stretcher to a frame;said canvas-stretcher having a rear external peripheral edge conformingsubstantially both in size and configuration to a surrounding rearinternal peripheral edge of said frame; said fastener comprising bracketmeans for embracing a portion of said internal peripheral edge of saidframe, and a cantilevered flexible tongue fixedly secured to saidbracket means and adapted to extend across and overlie said externalperipheral edge of said canvas-stretcher; said bracket means having botha sufficiently greater lateral rigidity and lateral extent than saidtongue to stabilize itself, and thereby said tongue, against bendingrelative to said frame in a plane parallel to one encompassing saidexternal peripheral edge of said canvasstretcher; said tongue beingsufficiently flexible such that it is bendable, normally of said plane,from a first position overlying said canvas-stretcher to a secondposition extending generally parallel to, and between, said internal andexternal peripheral edges of said frame and canvas-stretcher,respectively; said tongue when bent into said second position permittingremoval of said canvas-stretcher from said frame; said bracket meansbeing generally L-shaped in cross-section and presenting a pair ofmutually perpendicular limbs; one of said limbs being adapted to overliea portion of said frame adjacent to said internal peripheral edge of thelatter; the other of said limbs being adapted to be interpositionedbetween said internal and external peripheral edges of said frame andcanvas-stretcher, respectively; said other of said limbs having amedially disposed cut-out which terminates at said tongue and dividesthe latter said limb into a pair of legs spaced from one another over adistance corresponding to the lateral extent of said tongue which ismost proximate thereto.
 2. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein eachof said limbs of said bracket means is provided with a plurality ofapertures to permit stabilized anchoring thereof to said frame.
 3. Afastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tongue and bracket means areintegral with one another and derived as a unit from a thin common metalsheet; said limbs being bendable relative to one another normally of thelateral extent thereof to permit tight-fit embracing of said frame bysaid bracket means.
 4. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 including aresilient pad secured to an undersurface of said tongue and engageablewith said convas-stretcher.
 5. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid tongue is provided with at least one aperture to permit anchoringthereof to said canvas-stretcher.
 6. A fastener as claimed in claim 1wherein said tongue and bracket means are metallic and welded to oneanother; said bracket means having a greater thickness and rigidity thansaid tongue.
 7. In combination, a canvas-stretcher, and a frame intowhich said canvas-stretcher is insertable, said canvas-stretcher havinga rear external peripheral edge conforming substantially both in sizeand configuration to a surrounding rear internal peripheral edge of saidframe; the improvement comprising a fastener for detachably securingsaid canvas-stretcher to said frame; said fastener including bracketmeans for embracing a portion of said internal peripheral edge of saidframe, and a cantilevered flexible tongue fixedly secured to saidbracket means and adapted to extend across and overlie said externalperipheral edge of said canvas-stretcher; said bracket means having botha sufficiently greater lateral rigidity and lateral extent than saidtongue to stabilize itself, and thereby said tongue, against bendingrelative to said frame in a plane parallel to one encompassing saidexternal peripheral edge of said canvas-stretcher; said tongue beingsufficiently flexible such that it is bendable, normally of said plane,from a first position overlying said canvas-stretcher to a secondposition extending generally parallel to, and between, said internal andexternal peripheral edges of said frame and canvas-stretcher,respectively; said tongue when bent into said second position permittingremoval of said canvas-stretcher from said frame; said tongue andbracket means being integral with one another and derived as a unit froma common metal sheet; said bracket means being generally L-shaped incrosssection and defined by a pair of mutually perpendicular limbs; oneof said limbs being adapted to overlie and be affixed to said frame; theother of said limbs being interpositionable between said internal andexternal peripheral edges of said frame and canvas-stretcher,respectively; said other of said limbs being provided with a mediallydisposed cut-out which terminates at said tongue and divides the lattersaid limb into a pair of legs spaced from one another over a distancecorresponding to the lateral extent of said tongue which is mostproximate thereto.